Decorative table top



Dec. l2, 1944. B. w. RICE DECORATIVE TABLE TOP 'Filed Dec. 9, 1945 ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 12, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,365,005 I DECORATIVE TABLE r1:01J

` Beatrice Rice, New York, N. Y.

Application December 9, 1943, Serial No. 513,543

' 4 claims'. (el. y211-1) The present invention relates to ytable tops,

and more particularly to means whereby table tops are rendered decorative as well as functionally useful. I

As a feature of the present invention, there is provided a table top having a depressed ornamental design adapted to contain such table decorations as flowers, fruit and the likeso that these table decorations conforming to the pattern of this design, lend esthetic appeal to the table top.

As a further feature, the ornamental table top depression is adapted to contain water, so that; flowers arranged in said depression can be kept fresh. Means are provided whereby water can be easily Avdrained :from the table top depression, to permit this water tol be changed, to permitl changeovers to table deco-rations that do not require water such as fruits, or to permit `the use of the table top for ordinary table service.

As another feature, there is provided an insert which conforms in shape with thedesign of the ornamental depression in the table top, and which Vis adapted to be set into said depression to` fill it. This insert, when set into the depression, has its top surfaceflush with the upper surface of the `table top, so that this table top in conjunction with said insert presents a substantially `continuous supporting surface. When the insert Vis so vset in the table top depression, this top can be used for ordinary table service, and may for that purpose be covered with a tablecloth as in the case of the usual table top.

The insert can be arranged to flll the entire y table top depression, or these inserts may be in sections, so that only portions of the depression may be filled and blocked off, while the rem-aining unlled portions of the depression can be used for receiving such table decorations as owers or fruits.

Various other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following particular description, and from an inspection of the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan View of a table top embodying the features of the present invention;

Fig. 2`is a section of the table top taken on line 2-4-2 of Fig. 1, and showing in conjunction therewith but separated therefrom in side elevation the insert adapted to be set into the ornamental depression of the table top; and

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the insert.

Referring specifically to the drawing, there 'is provided a table top I0 in the form of a plate or slab, which is shown of rectangular outline,

but which, as far as certain aspects of the present invention are concerned, may be of any suitable shape, as for example circular or elliptical. Although only the table top I0 is shown, it must be understood that this table top may be supported on legs as in the conventional table. These legs may be secured to the table top Ill to form a permanent unit therewith, or may be of the type which will permit the table top to be lifted and detached from the legs.

The table top Ill may be of any suitable material which will permit the formation of a design depression therein as will be described. For that purpose, the table top I may be of glass, plastic or of cast metal such as aluminum.

The upper section of the tab-le top I0 is provided with a centrally disposed depression Il dening a sunk ornamental design. This design may be of any suitable outline according to the decorative elfeci-l desired, and is shown for the purpose of illustration simply as a cross-shaped channel having one section I2 extending lengthwise of the table top and a shorter section I3 intersecting said section .I2 and extending across said table top.

The ornamental table top depression II may be supplied with water, so that flowers inserted therein may be kept fresh. In order to permit easy removal of this water, there is provided a drain pipe I4 connected at its inlet to the bottom of the depression II, and having a valve I5 near the edge of the table top easily accessible ifor `convenient manipulation. A receptacle at the discharge end of the pipe I4 can be conveniently held in position to catch the drainage from the cavity II when the valve I5 is opened. This pipe I4 would desirably be disposed within the confines of the table top border, so that it would normally be out of View. y

In order to assure complete drainage of ther depression Il, the bottom walls of said depression are arranged to discharge towards the inlet vof the drain pipe I 4. For that purpose, the bottom walls I6 and Il of the channel conformations I2 and I3 respectively slant downwardly towards the inletI of the drain pipe I4.

To permit the cruciform cavity or depression y of the same material as that of the table top ID or of any suitable decorative material, and

is adapted to be set snugly into the design cavity Il. In this set position, the insert 20 will have its top surface substantially flush with the top surface of the table top, so that this table top in conjunction with said insert 20 will pre sent a continuous uninterrupted hat surface.

The insert 20 is desirably constructed to permit its easy insertion into or removal from the cavity Il. For that purpose, the insert 2l) may be provided with a key hole 2| having a circular bore 22, a circular undercut groove 23 of larger diameter at the lower end thereof, anda key- Way 24 extending along one side of said bore and down into the groove 23.

A key may be inserted into the keyhole 2! to effect the raising or lowering of the insert 20. This key may consist of a shaft which has a diameter to permit it to extend into the bore 22, and which has a ange on onesideadapt'ed to extend into the keyway 24. When the bolttom of the key shaft reaches into the bottom o f the groove 23, the key may be turned, so that the flange is out of registry with the keyway (24. I n'this position, the key flange will serfve as an abutment on which the insert 2S) will rest inthe lowering or raising of the insert.

If desired, asiinpl hole may be pro-vided in the insert 20 to permitthe insertion of a finger therein for raising or lo'v'veririg'A saidV insert, :or'a hinge ring may be provided 'in' a'groove in the insert to permit it when'not in use 'to lie flat with the top surface of said Il i'srtfV w @though the insert 20 is "shown forming a single unit coextensive in lSiae with the cavitil I|,as far as certain aspects o f theinvention are concerned, this insert may be dividedinto eeetens., se that instead .0f filling the wtiele cavits' by s single Ainsert enit, enlv .nests Of the tavitY may be elle@ while the etnerrarts are left venant fes the retention ef .ltnvers'y fruit 'or the ,like In this manner, any ,number efensmenta'l eieets een lee Obtained by' the setting' .ef .the requises? insert ,section in the cavity THL nel" example, end nieces inserted in tneeute'r ends of the channn l2 'wiushorten the vacant part of this channel, so that a cross design somewhat different in proportions te the 'erieinal depressen nesten .is Obtained- :Alea by having a .erneif fenn insert With arms shorter than the .serrer spending Channels .0f the ,table top depression ll, the ends of these `cl'iannels alonefarre left ,vacant s that fietsers inserted in theseehsn'- nel ends will ferm e pleasing tletfnetfive .design which ,can be further'enhanced by a bowl', vase or similar decorative piece in the middle 0i the table top over the cruciforminsert x2,10, l

The insert 2,0 itself tney ernanlentslly eenlbine with the table top l0 to present in conjunction therewith a pleasing decorative effect, even though said table top may be uncovered. For example, this insert 20 may have some suitable design on it to blend with the design on the rest of the table top, and may be colored, as for example by making it of colored glass, so that this insert contrasts or blends in .color with the table top Ill.v By making this insert Il appealing in design and/or color, it maybe used to decorate the table top It, when flowers or fruits are not available.

I have described what I believe to be the best embodiment of my invention. I do not wish, however, to be confined to the embodiment shown, but' what I desire to cover by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

lf'n'combination, a table top having a centrai depression following a predetermined ornamental pattern and adapted to contain table decorations', said depression being 'adapted to cntain water, and having a 'drain'opening at the bottom, means for controlling' drain flow from said opening, said depression having its bottom walls slanting downwardly towards said opening, and an insert adapted to be set in said depression to block up at least a portion of said depression, said insert when 4set in said'depression having its upper surface substantially flush'with the upper'surface of said table top. A

2. In combination, a table top having a depression following a predetermined ornamental pattern and adapted to contain table decorations, and an insert adapted to be set in said depres'` sion to block up at least a portion ofV said depression, and having a keyhole adapted to receive a tool by which said insert may be lifted out o f said depression.

3. The combination as described in claim 2, in which said keyhole has a circular bore, 'a cir-l cular undercut groove'of` larger diameter' at the lower end thereof, and a keyway extending along one side of said bore and down into said groove. 4, l'nvcombination, a table top having 'a central depression following a predetermined ornamental' pattern :andY adapted to contain table decorations, said depression being ladapted to contain water, and lavin'ga drain opening at the bottom, "means vforV controlling drain flow from said Viipenin'g"and' an"insert' adapted to be set 'in's'ai'd' depression to block up 'at -lea's`t a portion of said depressionfsaid insert when-setin said depression havingv` its upper "surfacefsubs'tantially flishwith the upper sjitr'fa'c 'of ASaid'tabIe top.l entretener-enten 

